Baylor Angel Network Having a Record-Setting Investment Year

July 9, 2012

The Baylor Angel Network (BAN) has invested more in Texas-based start-up companies this year than in any year since it was established in 2008. Its latest investment in six companies brings its investment of early stage capital to more than $1 million so far this year, according to BAN Executive Director, Kevin Castello.

"BAN is a unique applied education hybrid in which students learn the academics from Baylor University faculty and also get real-life entrepreneurial experience," Castello said. "Our students are graduating having reviewed 50 to 75 real investment opportunities. This is unheard of for undergraduate students. The unique student program is one of the reasons our Angel investors indicate leads them to join and remain in the network."

BAN is an investor network providing early stage capital to entrepreneurs with developed business plans. BAN has 45 members and has invested in 100 start-ups with an average investment per company of $202,511. It funds an average of five companies each year. BAN works closely with Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business and is advised by a board of advisors. Many Angels have offered to contribute a portion of their profits to the Hankamer School of Business and Baylor University.

"The BAN is run by students, coordinated by staff, led by faculty and funded by Angels," said Terry S. Maness, D.B.A., dean of Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. "As such, it affords valuable learning interactions and insight for student interns."

"Since the founding of BAN in 2008, 32 individuals have invested in excess of $3 million in 15 different companies," said Bob Brewton, of Affinity Angel Investment Fund I, LLC. "We expect significant monetary returns on these investments to benefit the Hankamer School of Business. We are already seeing ancillary returns as a result of BAN in that our student analysts are getting a hands-on education in entrepreneurship and are receiving job offers from the top companies in America."

Affinity Link, an outside management company, was formed recently to provide services to BAN investors, portfolio companies, and others which cannot be provided directly by BAN. Affinity Link manages the Affinity Angel Investment Fund I, coordinates due diligence activities for BAN, processes closing documents and records management, and monitors portfolio company progress for BAN. The Affinity Angel Investment Fund is unique in the return of a portion of the profits to Baylor University and is possible only due to the management provided by Affinity Link.